Title: Simulation of research and development collaborations as complex socio-technical systems using a hybrid of agent-based modelling and system dynamics

Authors: Mohammad Mirkazemi Mood; Ali Mohaghar; Yaser Nesari

Addresses: Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1411713114, Iran ' Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1411713114, Iran ' Faculty of Management, Central Tehran Branch of Azad University, Tehran, 1456843391, Iran

Abstract: Today, organisations collaborate to use more resources and reduce the risk of technological activities. The result of these collaborations is complex systems with socio-technical characteristics that, despite the many benefits, bring new and different problems and challenges for them. The current research intends to study these collaborations not as a static phenomenon but as a dynamic and heterogeneous system with various socio-technical characteristics, contrary to the prevailing practice in research in this field. Therefore, system dynamics and agent-based modelling are used to model an R&D collaboration system. Validation tests and comparison of simulation results with the actual behaviour of the system show success in recognising and representing the system under study. Findings show that using a socio-technical perspective and its methods helps to capture and structure the complexity and problems of systems and the interrelationships of these problems in a holistic view.

Keywords: socio-technical approach; research and development collaborations; system dynamics; agent-based modelling; AnyLogic software; modelling methods; simulation; cooperation; innovation; startups; applications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2023.129470

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2023 Vol.23 No.1, pp.81 - 101

Received: 09 Feb 2021
Accepted: 29 Sep 2021
Published online: 10 Mar 2023 *